Nature recording workshop 2013
This year Naturesound.Org and the University of Washington will be teaching state-of-the-art techniques for recording the sounds of wildlife. Participants will learn through daily field recording sessions and lecture/discussions.
When: May 10-12, 2013
Where: Urban Horticultural Center at University of Washington.
In the : Isaacson room.
Workshop Fee: $89 (includes tuition, class materials, snacks)
Topics covered include:
• Selection and application of audio recorders and microphones
• Recording theory
• Metering
• Recording techniques
• Documentation for sound recordings
- Use of computer-based software to analyze recordings
- Filtering and the use of sonograms
montlake fill
Your instructors will be Mark Oberle, University of Washington; Martyn Stewart, nature recordist from Naturesound.Org.
Coursebook 2012
Our workshop will consist along the same principles as the Cornell University Macaulay sound recording workshop which takes place every spring
Enrollment is primarily based on a first-come first-served basis, with first consideration given to students and researchers.
Workshop participants should bring a recorder, microphone, and tape. If you need equipment, please contact mstew@naturesound.org as soon as possible. A limited amount of recording equipment is available for loan.
October rain by Martyn Stewart
Please send your payments of $89 to
Naturesound.Org
5510 266th Ave NE
Redmond. WA 98053
phone: 425-898-0462
fax: 425-836-3849
email: mstew@naturesound.org
1: Why record nature sounds? Wildlife sounds enrich our lives, whether it’s a bird singing in the garden, or the soundscape of a rainforest. Recording these sounds can be an extremely rewarding experience
2: Listen. Your ears are an important part of your equipment! Teach yourself to listen. There is noise all around us, our brain filters out most of the unwanted sounds but when you put a set of headphones on you realise what a noisy environment we live in.
3: Microphones: They need protecting from the wind and sturdy enough to withstand the elements.
4: Recorders: Gone are the days of carrying heavy analog tape recorders, there are many recorders now that use “solid state”, we will show you the right recorder for your needs.
5: Accessories: A pair of headphones to listen to what you are recording is essential.
6: Get familiar with your equipment: Good recordings can be made with modest equipment, but whatever you choose it is essential to get to know how to operate it.
7: Techniques: Patience is a virtue, you may spend hours outside with your subject and only get 30 seconds of usable sound, it is essential that you know beforehand where and what you want to record. Get to know ranges and habitats of your target species. Don’t wear noisy clothes and stay away from gravel roads and crunchy leaves that can ruin your recording. Protect yourself from insects that bite, swatting an insect while recording will be picked up by the microphone, stay away from Deet while touching plastic knobs etc. Leaving your recorder on and walking away will give you less handling noise, try to use a tripod rather than holding the microphones
9: An early start!: Dawn in the spring will give you much more depth in sound, birds and animals often call and sing at this magic time of day, try to be out before the first song and eat something before your belly makes the first noise as to not ruin the moment.
10: Further information: The nature recording group is a great resource of information also your local birding chapter will often have frequent visited areas, find out what is current as far as species go…
Most of all, enjoy yourself..